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stupid alternator and battery- diagnosis halp plz

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Old 11-09-2010, 04:07 PM
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Default stupid alternator and battery- diagnosis halp plz

My alternator no longer seems to be charging my battery. Each time I charge it up and start and idle my car, I can watch the voltage drop down bit by bit in my ecu readout. I have an NB with the stupid ECU controlled alternator but when I **** with the alternator map it does nothing to affect the voltage.

I have a dyno tuning appointment tomorrow so I am super unhappy about this.

What do you all think? Alternator? Should I take my car for a drive to see if it charges? I do not wwant to get stuck in baltimore on some appropriate setpiece for "the wire" aka the shitty streets of baltimore.
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:08 PM
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kidney failure. your car has officially rejected you.
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:14 PM
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Sounds like alternator damage. Doesn't the battery light illuminate with the Hydra when there are problems? Maybe a wiring bug somewhere?
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:20 PM
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Yes, it lights up when you have an overvoltage. No overvoltage here.
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:22 PM
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Sounds like the problem is coming from your frame rail. Hack into it until it corrects itself.
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:22 PM
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Wow, that's brilliant, so if you actually have an undervoltage, there's no way to tell?!?!?
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:25 PM
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bad alt.
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:38 PM
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i have a spare 01 alternator but you have to buy it and pick it up from my lazy ***
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Old 11-09-2010, 04:51 PM
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Somehow, I don't think he's gonna make a 50 mile trip from Baltimore to Arlington with a dead alternator.
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Old 11-09-2010, 05:24 PM
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maybe if he had an inverter and a plug in battery charger .... or not.
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Old 11-09-2010, 05:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Reverant
Wow, that's brilliant, so if you actually have an undervoltage, there's no way to tell?!?!?
The hydra only cares about saving itself. If the voltage goes under 10.5ish the Hydra just gives up and shuts down injection and the car turns off.

Originally Posted by y8s
i have a spare 01 alternator but you have to buy it and pick it up from my lazy ***
I charged up my battery to 13V this time. Will go for a drive and see if the increased load will keep the battery happy. And see if the Hydra was just not able to manhandle the alternator because voltage was 11.5V last time I tried.

If that doesn't work, how much for your alternator?

Originally Posted by Reverant
Somehow, I don't think he's gonna make a 50 mile trip from Baltimore to Arlington with a dead alternator.

Thanks to the amazing power of not having modified my daily driver subaru I will be able to do so if I so desire. I learned my lesson when my turbo kit install took 2 months while I waited for the correct parts and I had to rent a car while my one and only car (miata) was down.
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Old 11-09-2010, 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by mgeoffriau
Sounds like the problem is coming from your frame rail. Hack into it until it corrects itself.
If that was the problem, well there wouldn't be a problem now would there?
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Old 11-09-2010, 11:54 PM
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most auto parts stores will test your alternator / battery for free if you can get there.

$50 and it's yours. it's around a 30k mile unit. in an odd twist, i picked it up near baltimore.
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Old 11-10-2010, 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by y8s
most auto parts stores will test your alternator / battery for free if you can get there.

$50 and it's yours. it's around a 30k mile unit. in an odd twist, i picked it up near baltimore.
Sending you a PM. I definitely need it.

Unfortunately, I read that our super fancy NB alternators cannot be tested without being damaged. I did get my battery tested though and it is ok.
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Old 11-10-2010, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by y8s
most auto parts stores will test your alternator / battery for free if you can get there.

$50 and it's yours. it's around a 30k mile unit. in an odd twist, i picked it up near baltimore.
Was that mine? I'd offer mine up but couldn't remember if you got it with my motor, or if it was in my parts bin. If it ain't mine, faeflora can come and grab mine as I know I still have it if you don't. And he's way more local than NOVA.

Frank
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Old 11-10-2010, 09:43 AM
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What's the verdict on this nomadic alternator? I am finished with work around noon or 1pm today so I can pick it up anywhere after that.
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Old 11-10-2010, 09:48 AM
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Y8s hasn't PMed me but I suspect he has my old one. My early onset Alzheimers is rearing it's ugly head. If he doesn't check in today I can check the parts bin at around 5:30 tonight and get back to you.

Frank
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Old 11-10-2010, 09:56 AM
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im pretty sure the reason he has one was from the block he bought from youz. another option is a 90-97 alt...
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Old 11-10-2010, 11:47 AM
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I would love an NA altwenator.
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Old 11-10-2010, 12:06 PM
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I have Frank's.
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